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Today’s devotional reminds us of a liberating truth: shame was never meant to be part of a believer’s identity. While guilt can lead us to repentance, shame clings like a heavy weight, making us believe we’re unworthy of God’s love. But the Word of God is clear — what Jesus has forgiven, He has forgiven forever. Isaiah 50:7 says, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” You are not your past. You are not your mistakes. You are not the voice of the enemy whispering old regrets into your mind. You are a new creation, loved and accepted by your Savior. As followers of Christ, we can boldly trade shame for grace, heaviness for hope, and regret for peace. Jesus has given us the freedom to move forward unburdened — we just have to hand over the weight. Join the Conversation:What is one burden of shame you’ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story — we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we’ve found in Christ.
Slow down today. That's the assignment.Every time you catch yourself going top speed to nowhere, STOP and slow down. And know that 'nowhere' will look like 'somewhere'...it will look like your office, or your home, or your room, whatever it is,stop in the midst of that stride,and slow down.Stop and listen for The Feeling. Stop and listen for The Feeling. Stop and listen for The Feeling. And then continue, slowly, very mindful, very peaceful,very God-like. You're closer than you think. (When you stop thinking, you're (t)here.)I Love you, nik nikki@curlynikki.comPlease support the show: ▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings▶▶ Cash App $NikWalton __________________________________________"Dear Jesus, please slow me down so I can better hear your voice." - @Living_Christian DAY 2 Surrender Novena - Father Ruotolo Dolindo Surrender to me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to me a worried prayer asking me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see to their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother's way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act. Saying You take care of it.O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.Amen September Affirmations: I release my need to control outcomes. I am thankful for all that has come. I am grateful for all that has left. Whatever had to go was not mine. 1 find beauty and value in change. My home is within me, wherever I am. My struggles refine, not define, me. The universe conspires in my favor. I trust in the timing of my life. Uncertainty is a friend, not a threat. I am going to get exactly what I want. I choose peace over worry in this moment.- @wetheurban A lot can happen in a month. Trust God." - @trustodbro "If you can win over your mind, you an win over the whole world." - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Bible Reading: Psalm 5:1-3Maisie had spent most of the evening texting one friend after another. "Can I text Bree real quick?" she asked when Mom told her to get ready for bed. "I want to see if she's as nervous as I am about tryouts for the play."Mom shook her head. "You've already texted her tonight--and lots of other friends. It's bedtime.""Okay, but can I please take two seconds to text Alynn--just to be sure she'll save me a seat on the bus tomorrow?" Maisie begged."Bed!" Mom said firmly, holding out her hand for Maisie's tablet.Maisie sighed and handed her tablet over, then went to get ready. She was crawling into bed when Mom appeared in the doorway. "Want me to turn the light out?" Mom asked. "Have you prayed already?""Oh, I forgot!" Maisie sat up. "I really don't have anything to say, except to ask God to take care of everyone, and He already knows that." Mom sat on the side of Maisie's bed. "If I handed you your tablet and gave you permission to text Bree, would you have anything to say to her?""Of course! Can I text her?" asked Maisie eagerly."Friends tell each other about their interests and feelings, don't they?" asked Mom. "They share their hopes and dreams and secrets. They talk about what they do for fun and what makes them afraid.""Yeah!" said Maisie, hoping to get her tablet back. "Friends need time to talk." "Well, is Jesus your friend?" Mom asked. Maisie nodded. "Then why don't you have anything to tell Him? Don't you think He wants to hear about what's going on in your life too?" She kissed Maisie's forehead. "Think about it," she said, then turned out the light and left.Maisie did think about it. She knew Mom was right and decided to talk to a friend she hadn't been paying much attention to lately. Dear Jesus, she began. Thank You for loving me and for dying on the cross for my sins. Then she shared some of her fears and dreams with the Lord. When I think of You as my friend, Maisie prayed, I really do have lots of things to say. Thanks for listening and caring. Goodnight. –Nance E. KeyesHow About You?Do you wonder what to say to God when you're praying? Think about the things you talk about with your friends. Those are the same things Jesus wants to hear about. He's the best friend you could possibly have, and He wants to be included in every part of your life. Talk to Him often about all the things you would share with a friend.Today's Key Verse:Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (NKJV) (James 4:8)Today's Key Thought:Talk to Jesus
Your Nightly Prayer
Scripture: Psalm 23 Key Takeaways: + A Shepherd leads by provision, presence and protection Matthew 16:31-22 + We worship the Lord because He is a divine provider + We worship the Lord because of His divine presence “Dear Jesus, how foolish of me to have called for human help when You are right here.” – Corrie Ten Boom, Hiding Place + We worship the Lord because of His divine protection + We are worshipping when we FOLLOW the Lord + LORD (all caps) = YHWH; Lord (lower case) = Adonai John 10:10-11 + Worship the Shepherd. Follow Jesus.
Your Daily Prayer
November 16, 2024Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 26 - Ps. 48:11-14; antiphon: Mark 13:13bDaily Lectionary: Jeremiah 31:1-17, 23-34; Revelation 16:1-21; Matthew 27:1-10Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever. (Psalm 48:11-14)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Zion is the city of David. It's the city of promise. The Lord promised David that his throne would not end. The promise goes not just to David but to all Israelites, for from David's lineage will come forth the Messiah, the Savior. In this way, the Canaanite woman, pleading to Jesus to help her daughter, rightly addresses Jesus as Son of David: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon” (Matthew 15:22).Psalm 48 gives us to rejoice, “Let Mount Zion be glad, let the daughters of Judah rejoice … consider her ramparts, go through her citadels … tell the next generation that this is God, our God, forever and ever.”The promise to Zion is “forever and ever.” We don't reduce the Zion promise to a political action of establishing a powerful government in Jerusalem. The promise is that Mt. Zion will be the everlasting throne of David's greater Son, and He will be the everlasting King of Mercy for every sinner. The promise of a “forever and ever” Zion is the promise, then, of the cross. At the cross, Jesus establishes His Throne of Grace for all those who, like the Canaanite woman, turn to the Son of David for mercy. Jesus is the Son of David. Those who belong to His cross are His “city of Zion,” the city of the Living God. When Jesus called you into his Church, He gathered you into the assembly of all those who belong to Him. That is the promise of Zion brought to you and me and our families.But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new [testament], and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:22-24).In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Dear Jesus, Son of David, bless your holy Church on Earth. Let us be glad in the Gifts of your Church and rejoice in your judgments of salvation by which you justify us. According to your promise, keep us in the assembly of your people gathered to your Name to receive your blood of the new testament for the forgiveness of sins. Amen.-Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NMAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Spend time reading and meditating on God's Word throughout the Church Year with the Enduring Grace Journal. Includes scripture readings, prayers, prompts, and space for journaling. The Church Year Journal, Enduring Grace, now available from Concordia Publishing House.
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A meteorologist in Mississippi went viral for uttering six simple yet profound words during his weather forecast on March 24, 2023. Matt Laubhan was tracking a severe storm when he realized a catastrophic tornado was about to bear down on the town of Amory. That’s when Laubhan paused on live TV to say this prayer heard worldwide: “Dear Jesus, please help them. Amen.” Some viewers later said that prayer prompted them to take cover. His spontaneous and heartfelt prayer may have helped save countless lives. Our prayers can make a difference too. They don’t have to be long-winded. They can be short and sweet and can be said at any time of the day. Whether we’re at work, running errands, or on vacation, we can “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). God loves to hear us pray throughout the day. The apostle Paul reminds us that we don’t have to be prisoners of worry or fear but can take all our cares and concerns to God: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Whether we’re enjoying a sunny day or being hit by the literal or figurative storms of life, let’s remember to pause and pray throughout the day.
PreludeWelcomeCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#118) "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"Confession, Assurance, and Gloria PatriRecognition of StaffPraise SongsSermon - "Set Free: Miracles Along the Way" (Joshua 3)Hymn of Response - (#82) "Victory in Jesus"Receiving of Our Tithes and OfferingsDedication of Hurricane Relief OfferingOffertoryDoxologyPastoral PrayerClosing Hymn (#337) "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"BenedictionPostludeA Mighty Fortress Is Our GodA mighty fortress is our God,A bulwark never failing;Our helper He amid the floodOf mortal ills prevailing.For still our ancient foeDoth seek to work us woe—His craft and power are great,And, armed with cruel hate,On earth is not His equal.Did we in our own strength confide,Our striving would be losing,Were not the right man on our side,The man of God's own choosing.Dost ask who that may be?Christ Jesus, it is He—Lord Sabaoth His name,From age to age the same,And He must win the battle.And though this world with devils filled,Should threaten to undo us,We will not fear, for God hath willedHis truth to triumph through us.The prince of darkness grim,We tremble not for him—His rage we can endure,For lo, his doom is sure:One little word shall fell him.That word above all earthly powers,No thanks to them, abideth;The Spirit and the gifts are oursThrough Him who with us sideth.Let goods and kindred go,This mortal life also—The body they may kill;God's truth abideth still:His kingdom is forever.Victory in JesusI heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.CHORUS:O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!He sought me and brought meiwh His redeeming blood;He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him—He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing,How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,"And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.[CHORUS]I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;About the angels singing and the old redemption story,And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.[CHORUS]Praise to the Lord, the AlmightyPraise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!All ye who hear,Now to His temple draw near;Join me in glad adoration!Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,Shelters thee under His wings, yes, so gently sustaineth!Has thou not seenHow all thy longings have beenGranted in what He ordaineth?Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.Ponder anewWhat the Almighty can do,If with His love He befriend thee.Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.Let the AmenSound from His people again:Gladly for aye we adore Him.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. — Ephesians 4:16 Our body is controlled by our head (not the other way around). Our head is the coordinating center of our body. It's the same way with the church, which is called the body of Christ. We draw our strength from Christ, our head. “Remain in me,” he says; “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Christ guarantees the survival of his body. Jesus assures us, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is the one who makes each member grow, holds the whole body together, and nourishes all the parts to build each other up. No matter how useful we are, how well we do, or how much we accomplish, we are called to be servants in the body. It is Christ who bears the fruit in us. We don't seek glory for ourselves; to him alone is the glory. Daily dependence on Christ is vitally important. We will never be competent enough to cope without living daily in communion with him. When the church forgets this principle, it becomes a lifeless body, a religion without a soul. Consider some of the many ways in which you depend on God. What are some ways that God is using you in the church? How can you serve him more faithfully? Dear Jesus, thank you for calling us into a living relationship with you. Help us to remember that we fully rely on you in order to bear fruit. In your name, Amen.
He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. — Ephesians 4:10 An African proverb says, “If a blind man says he will throw a stone at you, he probably has his foot on one.” In other words, don't underestimate the danger of a threat. When someone says something like that, you should be aware of the possibility of harm. Something similar is happening in this world. The gospel of Jesus Christ may seem powerless, like a blind man. But make no mistake: the reality is different! By his death on the cross, Christ has put Satan to shame and has stripped away the power that sin had over us. Christ, having received all authority (Matthew 28:18), has poured it out on his disciples. As followers of Jesus, we have received power from the Holy Spirit, through whom we reign with him. We are united with Christ in his victory, so we too are powerful. Christ has overcome, and we are therefore overcomers—but not by ourselves, for this is a gift. Christ's victory makes us rulers with him. It is important to recognize that we have this position in life. The Spirit in the church is proof of Christ's victory. How are you demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in your life today? How is God calling you into servant leadership with the gifts he has given? Receive the Holy Spirit, and ask God for help in using the gifts he has given you. Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the great gifts the Spirit has given us. Help us to demonstrate your power and love to the people around us. In your name, Amen.
“Young man, I say to you, ‘Get up!'” — Luke 7:14 I am not a morning person. I wish I were. I have learned to get up early out of necessity, but it takes some time and coffee to get me going. In our reading from Luke 7 today, we see a remarkable awakening. A young man has died. Jesus sees the funeral procession, and his heart goes out to the young man's mother, who is also a widow. He walks up to the funeral stretcher and says, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” Jesus uses a Greek word here that literally means “wake up.” Jesus treats the young man as if he is not dead but asleep. And when he wakes up, the young man starts to talk, which seems like a funny detail to include. Maybe he is a morning person! Later in the passage, the same word is used again. The crowd that had seen this miracle declared with awe, “A great prophet has appeared among us.” More literally, this can be translated: “A great prophet has awoken among us!”—meaning that the people could see they were in the presence of someone specially sent by God. They didn't know much about Jesus yet, but they would soon learn. I don't know if you are a morning person or not, but here is a helpful prayer we can offer anytime: “Jesus, please awaken me!” Ask the Lord to wake you up to see and care about the people around you. Dear Jesus, as you worked your resurrection power in that young man, will you work the same power in my life and spirit today? Help me to serve you faithfully. Amen.
Your faith in God has become known everywhere. — 1 Thessalonians 1:8 I have a soccer friend who quit his full-time job to become a social-media influencer. He focuses on differences between Canadian and American products. Did you know that Corn Pops™ cereal is almost completely different in Canada from what it is in the United States? Of course, influencers are into everything from home design to fashion to video games and parenting. There's no end. But influencing is not new to our generation. In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul reflects on the powerful effects of influence in this young church. Through Paul and his companions they were introduced to Jesus and, in turn, began to reflect Jesus themselves. Listen to what Paul says in verse 7: “You became a model to all the believers in [the surrounding area]. . . . The Lord's message rang out from you . . . your faith in God has become known everywhere.” Talk about influence! Think about your own faith journey and who has influenced you. Who made Jesus real to you? And how about your own influence? What would it look like for the good news of Jesus to ring out from your life today? Dear Jesus, may our lives be so open to the influence of your love and forgiveness that we bring that same influence to all the people in our lives and in all the places we go today. In your name we pray. Amen.
I want to know Christ. . . . — Philippians 3:10 Researchers in Europe went door to door, asking people about their belief in God. One question was this: “Do you believe in a God who intervenes in human lives, who changes the course of history, and performs miracles?” A typical response to this question was “No, I don't believe in that God. I believe in the ordinary God.” I admit that it can be tempting to prefer “the ordinary God”—that is, a God who is there when I need him but who remains mostly quiet in the background while I go about my life. Fortunately the Scriptures do not let us settle with that notion of an ordinary God. The Jesus we meet in the New Testament entered our world, carried our burden of sin to the cross, died in our place, and then rose from the dead and later ascended to rule with God in heaven. This is no ordinary God. The God of the Bible does in fact break into our lives in all kinds of surprising, beautiful, and disruptive ways. In fact, the one true God is beyond extraordinary. And all of this is conveyed in this remarkable prayer of Paul: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings” and then to experience that resurrection as well. What a prayer! How would my life change if this became my life's prayer? What could happen if I prayed this for the people in my life? Dear Jesus, I want to know you. Make me like you so that I may experience the power of your resurrection. Amen.
Your Daily Prayer
Slow down today. That's the assignment. Every time you catch yourself going top speed to nowhere, STOP and slow down. And know that 'nowhere' will look like 'somewhere'... it will look like your office, or your home, or your room, whatever it is, stop in the midst of that stride, and slow down. Stop and listen for The Feeling. Stop and listen for The Feeling. Stop and listen for The Feeling. And then continue, slowly, very mindful, very peaceful, very God-like. You're closer than you think. (When you stop thinking, you're (t)here.) I Love you, nik nikki@curlynikki.com Please support the show: ▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings ▶▶ Cash App $NikWalton __________________________________________ LINKS Surrender Novena #1 (All nine days in one place!) Surrender Novena #2 (All nine days in one place!) "Dear Jesus, please slow me down so I can better hear your voice." - @Living_Christian DAY 2 Surrender Novena - Father Ruotolo Dolindo Surrender to me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to me a worried prayer asking me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see to their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother's way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act. Saying You take care of it. O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times) Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus. Amen September Affirmations: I release my need to control outcomes. I am thankful for all that has come. I am grateful for all that has left. Whatever had to go was not mine. 1 find beauty and value in change. My home is within me, wherever I am. My struggles refine, not define, me. The universe conspires in my favor. I trust in the timing of my life. Uncertainty is a friend, not a threat. I am going to get exactly what I want. I choose peace over worry in this moment.- @wetheurban A lot can happen in a month. Trust God." - @trustodbro "If you can win over your mind, you an win over the whole world." - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Continue to submit to Him, follow Him, and love Him. Choose to refrain from leaning on your own understanding and start leaning on God. Through studying the Bible, you will start seeing things as God sees them as well as you will understand His will better. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Is God Calling Me to Switch Careers? By Vivian Bricker “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Many people have a good idea of what they want to be after college. College prepares us for the workforce and equips us with everything we need in order to get hired. However, sometimes later in life, we want to change our career. This could be due to a change in leadership at the company where we are working or simply losing interest in the career. If you are finding yourself in a position where you feel God is calling you to switch careers, rest in the peace that this can happen. There are times when God calls us away from the field we are currently working in and wants us to move to a new career. If you feel God is leading you to switch careers, it would be wise to listen to His call. God knows what is best for us and it is good to include Him in all of our decisions. Even if we might not understand God's direction at the time, we can trust in His goodness. He will never lead us into a bad situation. If you are afraid of leaving your current job, leave space for this fear, but also allow yourself to think about the beautiful things God has in store for you. If you are not sure God is calling you to change careers, go to Him in prayer. God hears and listens to every prayer. When you pray to Him, ask Him for His guidance and instructions. He will answer and make His paths known to you. Be specific in your prayers and do not be afraid to pray big prayers. If you are specifically asking God about a career change, ask Him clearly. By praying to God, you will be acknowledging your dependence on Him. God is ultimately in control and the more we depend on Him, the safer and calmer we will feel. We can trust God because He is fully reliable, faithful, and trustworthy. Take your prayers to Him today and ask Him to reveal His plans for your life. Intersecting Faith & Life: The best way to clearly understand God's will and directions is by listening to Him through His Word. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” It is important for us to trust in God and lean on Him rather than our own understanding. In all our ways, we need to submit to Him and He will make our paths straight. These simple instructions from Proverbs 3:5-6 are applicable to us when we are looking for a change of career and feeling as though God is leading this desire. If we submit our ways to God and we follow His instructions, our paths will be made smooth. Focus on this truth and allow it to give your heart joy. God is going to make His will known to you. Continue to submit to Him, follow Him, and love Him. Choose to refrain from leaning on your own understanding and start leaning on God. Through studying the Bible, you will start seeing things as God sees them as well as you will understand His will better. In addition to seeking out God through prayer and Bible study, we also need to communicate and seek out confirmation from trusted believers in our life. Trusted believers will be able to help us in many ways. For one, they can pray for us and second, they can provide us with immeasurable advice, feedback, and suggestions. Schedule sometime this week to talk with a few trusted believers and listen to any thoughts they have about you changing careers. It is good to look for trusted believers who will actually tell you their thoughts. You don't need to be surrounded by advisers who will only tell you what you want to hear. This is not helpful and it can actually be extremely detrimental. Instead, choose to enlist help from trusted believers who will be discerning and thoughtful as they help you navigate this major life change. Some trusted believers might also feel God is leading you into a new career path; whereas, others might tell you this is not where God is leading. In other words, some might confirm your career change and others might tell you this is not a good move. Take special note of their thoughts and ponder each of them thoughtfully. Avoid starting arguments if they disagree with you. Instead of arguing, ask them why they feel as though God is not calling you to a new career. They could provide you with needed advice from the Bible or recently revealed answered prayers in their own life. Listen to them and value their opinions even if they might be different from your own. Take their advice thoughtfully and allow it to form your final opinion. “Dear Jesus, please give me guidance as to which career I should switch to. I want to glorify You through my career change and ensure the call to change comes from You. Since I trust You with my salvation, I know I can also trust You with my career. Please give me direction, Lord. Amen.” Challenge Questions: Is God calling me to a career change? If He is, where do I go from here? Is there anything holding me back from obeying God? Who is a trusted Christian I can ask for advice and clarity in this matter? 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Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” — John 18:4 Not long ago I received a call that a dear friend might have only hours—or a few days, at best—to live. I rearranged my day and left for the hospital. I should have asked for the room number ahead of time, but as I stood near the nurses' station, someone asked me whom I was looking for. She kindly directed me to the room—and after I walked in, I soon realized I was saying good-bye. Jesus knew what would soon happen as he saw soldiers and officials coming for him. This was the plan ahead of him, and he faced it head-on. He even unnerved his pursuers by stepping forward and identifying himself. There was no fight from Jesus—just resolution that he was okay with accepting God's plan for him and for the world. When God calls us and asks us to step into the plan he has designed for us, do we step away or step in? When everything feels safe, it's not hard to step in. When the storyline involves suffering or pain, however, it's easier to back up and hesitate. I admit that I have argued with God on occasion, telling him I didn't have time for his plan. I preferred a different way. That didn't change the plan, though, and when I took the posture of trusting over fighting, I appreciated the choice God took for me so that I could trust him then. Can you? Dear Jesus, as the soldiers approached, looking for you, you stepped forward and faced them. Will you help us today to have the courage to accept the plan that you have designed for us? Amen.
We can overcome the world and its struggles because Jesus already has. Rather than trying to take matters into our own hands, we need to trust in Him, allow Him to direct our steps, and apply His teachings into our lives. Whenever we feel without hope in our trouble or distress, we need to remember that the Lord has overcome the world and we can take heart in this promise. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Jesus Has Overcome the World By Vivian Bricker “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). If there is one thing I'm familiar with, it's trouble. Growing up, I often found myself in the vice principal's office for a myriad of reasons. Due to having a speech impediment when I was younger, I would often say things incorrectly, which would then be taken the wrong way. I was also notorious for coming up with different names for teachers and people at the school because I was never good with names. For example, instead of remembering Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones, or Mr. Hanks, I would make up a name for them, based on what they looked like, such as “turtle man,” “Mr. Giraffe,” and “the alien.” As one could imagine, the vice principal didn't enjoy being called an alien. In addition to being sent to the vice principal's office for mispronouncing words and referring to teachers by different names, I often had a hard time calming down if someone said something about my family. There was one specific girl who always tried to get me upset by saying something mean about my mom or my sister. One day, this girl made a very derogatory remark about my mother, to which I called her a few bad words that I had heard from my father. Yet again, this landed me in the vice principal's office. “Vivian, you're a good student. Why are you always in my office?” This is what I was asked each time I was in the vice principal's office. I explained the situation to him and while he understood why I was upset, he told me it was never right to say bad words or to call people mean names. He validated my feelings that what she did was wrong and he would talk to her about it, but that it didn't make it right for me to be mean back. Rather than following after anger, he cautioned me to follow after peace. I'm not sure if he knew how much his words affected me at 9-years-old, but it did change many of my future actions. When this girl would be mean to me, I would tell her that she was just mean. I didn't go any further than that and I did my best to try to apply what the vice principal had told me. This girl was still mean to me, but I no longer fed into her cruelty. I chose to strive for peace. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Lord tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus tells us here that we will have trouble in this world, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world. Through the Lord, we can have peace. While we cannot fully obtain peace on our own, we can obtain peace through Jesus. Troubles will abound in our life, but we can trust in the Lord. He has already overcome the world, therefore, there is nothing for us to fear. We might cause trouble or we might be the victim of trouble, but we can take heart because of the Lord. Due to living in a fallen world, sin is ever present and we will face many difficult times. We will hurt others and they will hurt us. None of us want to hurt others, yet it is part of living in a sinful world. With this knowledge, we need to allow it to lead us to follow Jesus and strive for peace with all people. We can overcome the world and its struggles because Jesus already has. Rather than trying to take matters into our own hands, we need to trust in Him, allow Him to direct our steps, and apply His teachings into our lives. Whenever we feel without hope in our trouble or distress, we need to remember that the Lord has overcome the world and we can take heart in this promise. Challenge Questions: What does taking heart look like in your life? Are there any troubles you are facing today? How can you bring them to Jesus today? When life feels overwhelming, remember that Jesus has overcome the world. How can you praise Him for this today? “Dear Jesus, You have overcome the world! I praise You and I thank You. Please help me to remember this when trouble is at my door. I have often caused trouble for others and others have caused trouble for me. Help me to follow after Your example and to strive after peace. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Sermon for Sunday, July 28th, 2024, is based on John 6:1-15. Sermon Given By: Paul Jenkins Today's Focus: God works with full force to build and fortify our saving faith. Our worship follows The Common Service. Trinity Lutheran Church is located in Woodbridge, VA, USA and is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). If you would like more information about our congregation, please visit www.trinityofwoodbridge.org or www.facebook.com/trinityofwoodbridge Welcome! If you are a visitor, please consider joining us in-person at our worship service each Sunday at 10 AM. If you would like Pastor Jenkins to contact you, please find our contact info here: https://trinityofwoodbridge.org/contact-us/ Download the worship folder here: https://trinityofwoodbridge.org/sunday-worship/ Podcasts of each sermon can be found here: https://trinityofwoodbridge.org/audio-sermons/ Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License 735256-A and Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI). All rights reserved.
Your Faith Journey - Finding God Through Words, Song and Praise
Last week I shared goals that were developed from the input that was received at our gatherings this past year. I need to let you know that they are still in progress and are being reviewed by the call committee. They will then go back to the council for final approval. You will then be able to see them in the Ministry Site Profile. The Ministry Site Profile was formulated and written by the Transition Team, is now being fine-tuned by the Call Committee and will then be brought back to the council for approval and then shared with you. Mike Nussdorfer is the head of our Call Committee. We will be installing them in September. Next week there will be news in the E-news from the Call Committee. I know the talk about process gets old, but in reality this is what life is. The transition that we are in is a process and takes many turns, many that we do not expect. We would like to know how it is all going to go, but unfortunately that is not how God works. Everything is in God's time. During times of transition, anxiety and sometimes frustration, is the best time to work on our relationship with Jesus. This is what our lessons are talking about today. It is when we are not focusing on trying to figure everything out that the way often becomes clearer. The Jewish leaders in our Gospel lesson are trying to make sense out of what Jesus is talking about. It doesn't make sense that Jesus is saying that they are to eat him. Then Jesus goes on to say that unless they eat of his flesh and drink his blood that they will not have life within them. Those who do eat his flesh and drink his blood will have eternal life .If we think about this literally, our stomachs will probably be turning. In a sense Jesus tries to clarify to a point what he is talking about in saying that it is about abiding in him and he in us. Jesus is talking about our relationship with him. The Greek word for abide is meno which can mean reside in. Think for a moment about how Jesus resides in you. Do we recognize Jesus in us? We can be taken back by that to even consider us seeing Jesus in ourself. The closer that we grow to Jesus, the more others will see Jesus in us. It doesn't mean that we are perfect. If anything, it means that we realize that we are not perfect, yet try to love all the people the best that we can. In our own lives, those whom we have close relationships have an influence on how we live our lives. When we have someone that we trust, we allow them to point out things that may not be working or things that they see that they point out as something positive and healthy. This is our model for being in relationship with Jesus There are all levels of relationship based on trust. We are all wired differently and that means even levels of intimacy are influenced by that with others and Jesus. When we are in loving intimate relationships with another human being, it is not always something that we understand. It just is and the more we try and understand it, the less sense it makes. We learn to trust and go with it or not. It takes being vulnerable and trusting that another person doesn't take advantage of us. It is no different with Jesus when it comes to trusting and being vulnerable. I don't believe that anyone of us has seen Jesus, yet we learn about Jesus and are asked to trust him. I want us to be reminded that Jesus desires us. We often think of this in a sexual manner, but this is much deeper, it is intimacy. It is Jesus residing in us. Jesus desires us to be vulnerable with him. We know that is not easy to do with another human being, let along Jesus. Even though we may admit that Jesus knows everything about us, the question is, are we willing to recognize who we are. Are we willing to stand totally open or as open as we can be before Jesus? Jesus was saying to the Jews and says to us, I want to be a part of every area of your life. I am going to reside in you. I want you to be at home with me. When Jesus says that he wants us to eat him, it really means that he wants us to continue to learn about him and be in relationship with him. This means recognizing his presence in us and others. In the beginning of the Gospel of John we hear that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God and that the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.” From the beginning of this Gospel, we hear that Jesus was God and that God in Jesus wants to be in relationship with us. God in Jesus Christ comes to us through Word and Sacrament. The word for eat in this passage can also mean gnaw or chew on. For me this means to really taste it, to get the fullest possible experience of it. This is what Jesus desires us to do with him through Word and Sacrament. Jesus wants us to get the fullest possible experience with him that we are able to. The Word is not only the Bible, but God in Jesus Christ can come to us through people and experiences. They can come to us through reading other things, watching things, but always listening for God in Jesus Christ. God in Jesus Christ comes to us through our two sacraments. Baptism and Communion. In Baptism, Jesus comes to us and if we are infants at the time, parents, sponsors and the beloved community promise to help us gnaw on and be in relationship with Jesus. At confirmation, we promise to continue being in relationship with Jesus and gnawing on him. This is what abiding is all about, eating and drinking Jesus. This is where we learn to trust Jesus and recognize his presence in our lives. Sometimes this means just letting go of as many fears and what ifs that we can and stepping out and being vulnerable before Jesus. Remember Jesus walks with us and loves us unconditionally. No matter how many fears and what ifs that we have Jesus is right there with us. I challenge each of us this week to look at how we relate to Jesus. How do we foster our relationship with Jesus? How do we gnaw or chew on Jesus? How do we recognize Jesus' presence in our lives? It does not only mean reading the Bible or coming to worship and hearing the Word and receiving the sacrament. It's more than all of that but includes Word and Sacrament. Through times of transition and change is exactly the time that we are called to spend more time seeking Jesus and putting away our wants and desires and asking Jesus what he wants and desires. When we are vulnerable before Jesus, Jesus will show us the way forward. It will not happen on our time, but his time. Jesus the bread of life resides in us and wants and desires us to recognize him in our lives. When we place our focus on what Jesus wants and desires we will be able to experience the abundant life that Jesus has for us now and in the future. Dear Jesus, Our fears and what ifs often draw us to our wants and desires. Today, we put ourselves before you vulnerably, asking you what your desires are for our lives and life of our church. We put our days in your hands. We desire to grow closer to you and recognize your presence in our lives. Thank you for walking with us. In Jesus' name, Amen
IBC Youth Choir sings "Thank You, Dear Jesus" during a worship service at Immanuel Baptist Church, Florence, Ky. Please visit us at 7183 Pleasant Valley Road Florence KY 41042, or call us at (859) 586-6829. Church links: Website: https://www.ibcflorence.com Daily Devotions: https://ibcflorenceky.wordpress.com/follow/ Free App: http://www.ibcflorence.com/ibc-app Our entire list of recent sermons: https://www.ibcflorence.com/recent-sermons Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibcflorenceky Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibcflorence/ Podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/user-658781358 Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence/live Instant Message: https://m.me/ibcflorenceky We would love to know how to pray for you! Romans 10:9
IntroWelcome Back! Season Three is starting strong with a kick ass survivor and our new co-host Alison House. In today's episode, both Alison and Eryn go over their experiences as well as the many obstacles they face as stroke survivors. They share their experiences on how standing firm in their faith, showing gratitude, and spending time in nature along with engaging in relaxing activities, all played huge roles in their cognitive as well as mental recovery from brain bleeds.SummaryAlison shares her experience of having a brain aneurysm and the symptoms she experienced leading up to it. She discusses her time in the hospital, including being in the ICU and the challenges she faced during her recovery. Alison also talks about the support she received from her loved ones and the impact the experience had on her relationship with her son. She mentions the medical procedures she underwent and the ongoing symptoms she continues to deal with. In this conversation, Alison and Eryn discuss their experiences with brain injuries and the challenges they faced during their recoveries. They talk about the symptoms they experienced, such as brain fog and memory loss, and the impact it had on their daily lives. They also discuss the importance of self-advocacy and finding support during the recovery process. Alison shares how her faith and connection with nature helped her find strength and inner peace. Overall, the conversation highlights the resilience and determination of individuals living with brain injuries.Keywordsbrain aneurysm, perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage, symptoms, hospital, ICU, recovery, support, medical procedures, ongoing symptoms, brain injury, recovery, symptoms, brain fog, memory loss, self-advocacy, support, faith, nature, resilienceTakeaways• Symptoms of a brain bleed can include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and changes in vision.• Recovery from a brain bleed can involve time in the ICU and step-down units, as well as physical therapy.• Having a strong support system, including loved ones and healthcare professionals, is crucial during the recovery process.• Medical procedures such as angiograms may be used to diagnose and treat brain aneurysms and other types of bleeds• Ongoing symptoms such as memory loss, brain fog, and sensitivity to light and sound can persist after a brain bleed. Brain fog is a common symptom of brain injury, characterized by a fuzzy and staticky feeling in the mind.• Self-advocacy is crucial during the recovery process, as individuals may need to seek out appropriate care and support.• Finding support from friends, family, and community organizations can greatly impact the recovery journey.• Connecting with nature and finding inner strength can help individuals navigate the challenges of brain injury.• Resilience and determination are key in overcoming the physical and emotional obstacles of brain injury.Sound Bites• "I'm so excited to be your new co-host and just looking forward to all of our adventures and episodes and looking really forward to sharing my story with everyone today."• "I had some headaches that didn't go away. A lot of fatigue to the point where I was napping daily, which I'm normally not a...
We will be with the Lord forever. — 1 Thessalonians 4:17 What happens to our souls when we die? Across the ages, many people have offered ideas on our destiny after death. But what does the Bible say? The Old Testament says that when we die, our bodies will return to the earth but that our souls will return to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). And here in the New Testament the apostle Paul describes death for believers as being “asleep” in Christ (see also 1 Corinthians 15:20; July 26). Some Christians have suggested that when we die, we are in a state of “soul sleep”—but that may not be the best way to describe it. There's also the promise from Jesus to the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). In addition, the apostle Paul provides a promise in 1 Thessalonians 4, describing one of the most striking scenes in the Bible about the Lord's return. With the shout of the archangel and the blast of a trumpet, the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven. All who belong to Jesus will be raised from the dead, and the living will be gathered to him. And here Paul supplies an indelible, eternal promise: “We will be with the Lord forever.” With this assurance we can be filled with hope and encourage one another. Dear Jesus, although the unknown moment of our death is a reality for each of us, we give thanks that you will never leave or forsake us. Amen.
God's plans are already being carried out through our lives. As you are presently in this tough season of life, lean on God. Find support in Him and trust Him with your life. The plans He has for you will prevail and they will be glorious. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How Can I Take Comfort in God's Plans for My Life? By Vivian Bricker “‘For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” – Jeremiah 29:11 Due to living in a fallen world, we are always coming across problems. Problems with work, our relationships, and our health can leave us feeling worn out. It never feels as though we can get a break. Instead of being relieved once one problem is resolved, a hundred new problems replace it. Whenever we are feeling like this, we need to turn to the Lord and know that He has a beautiful plan for our lives. There have been many times in my life where I don't feel like there is a purpose to the pain I am experiencing—there is only suffering. We are often taught that pain makes us stronger, when sometimes it can actually make us weaker. Every pain, every tear, and every heartache does not lead us to something greater. Instead, it can lead us to meet the end of the road. Plans we previously had for our lives seem to be non-existent and we don't even know how we are going to make it to the end of the month. When these issues arise, we can find lasting hope and purpose in God. He has great plans for our life. Through the pain, we can see His will more clearly and we take joy in knowing that our suffering is never forgotten by Him. Recently, I had an issue in my life that God worked through. I thought I was going to have to make a major life change; however, God kept me where I was. He placed me on level ground and told me I was right where He wanted me to be. From that day, I felt the assurance of the Lord. His plans for me would never be sabotaged by anything or anyone, including myself or this season of suffering. His goodness and his love will ensure all of the plans He has for our lives will be accomplished. Some of them might not be completed in the ways we once thought; however, we can trust in His plans. We might be lacking direction or guidance, but God never does. He will direct and guide each of our steps. In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord tells us He already knows the plans He has for us and that these plans will prosper us. They will not harm us in any way. Rather, these plans will give us hope and a future. Whenever we are unsure about the future, we need to rely on God's plans for our lives. Your present season of suffering will not endure forever because the Lord has beautiful plans for your future. This future will not harm you nor will it cause you problems. It will only give you hope and surround you with the Lord's goodness. Choose to live out this truth today by walking confidently in Jesus' promise. The plans God has for our lives is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. If you are presently going through a season of suffering, rest in the truth that you will be brought out into a season of joy. Similar to how the physical seasons change, this season of life will change too. The suffering and pain you are experiencing now will not endure forever. Intersecting Faith & Life: This season might last for a while, but you can continue to trust God. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we can know with confidence that God is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). It is not a pleasant season right now; however, God's plans for your life are still being fulfilled. There is nothing we can do to mess up God's plans for our lives nor is there any season of life that can separate us from His plans. God's plans are already being carried out through our lives. As you are presently in this tough season of life, lean on God. Find support in Him and trust Him with your life. The plans He has for you will prevail and they will be glorious. “Dear Jesus, I am going through a tough season right now. There only seems to be suffering at every corner. Please Lord, help me to have hope for the plans You have for my life. Bring my heart and mind to meditate on Your plans for my life rather than the tragedies I am currently going through. I know nothing can usurp Your plans for my life. I praise You, Amen.” During this present season of suffering, what has the Lord been teaching you? God has many plans for your life. Does this bring you a sense of comfort? Why or why not? How does knowing that God has plans for your life change your outlook during this present season of life? Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Psalm 119:76 Romans 8:26-28 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Proverbs 18:24 MSG Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. In our culture today, people have never been busier and never so isolated. Couple that dynamic with social media and we quickly find that real friendship, true friends of the heart and soul, have become somewhat of a lost art. For those who follow Christ, the opportunity to develop a core circle to go deep together will always be possible. We all know that friends we choose can become closer than some family. The kind of friend Solomon described in today's verse stays steady and true while others move in and out of our lives. We pick up right where we left off, no matter how long ago the last visit has been. You never have to explain yourself because you are forever understood and accepted. Picture in your mind those one or two friends that are there for you, no matter what. What are your favorite things about them? How do they make you feel when you are down? Thank God for them, the gift of true community. Listen again to Proverbs 18:24: Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. For the next few minutes, focus on the best Friend you will ever have, the One who is there during the victories of the day and the heartaches in the night, the One who created you, redeemed you, and brought you into His family forever—Jesus Christ. Ask God to reveal an even deeper level of intimate friendship with Him. Let's pray, friend: “Dear Jesus, thank You for my heart friends, my soul friends, those You have placed in my life that truly do stick by me closer than family. Thank You for Your friendship and allowing me to be Your friend. As above, so below. Amen”
The grace He extends to us will endure throughout all time and this is shown to us in how Gentiles are now part of the family of God. At one point only Israel was the family of God; however through Jesus' grace all people can join the family of God. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 From the moment we come to know Jesus, we are blessed. We are blessed because we now know the Savior of our souls, our Redeemer, and our greatest Friend. Although we are now just coming to know Him, He has loved us since before the beginning of time. When we were actively living in sin, He loved us (Romans 5:8). The love of Jesus is what enables us to live graceful lives. While we ourselves might be lacking in extending grace in our lives, we know we never have to worry about this with the Lord. He is always extending grace to us in His actions. Even though we do not deserve His love and grace, Jesus still chooses to do this. Love is at the Lord's core and there is nothing we can do to change this (Romans 8:37-39). From a biblical sense, grace is undeserved favor or unmerited favor. We did nothing to warrant Jesus' love or favor. Rather, He simply chose to love us and He continues to do so every day. The grace He extends to us will endure throughout all time and this is shown to us in how Gentiles are now part of the family of God. At one point only Israel was the family of God; however through Jesus' grace all people can join the family of God. This is all because of God's grace and His love. With this knowledge, we can live graceful lives. Rather than being fearful, doubtful, or even prideful, we can live lives of grace and love. God has given us grace, which is something we don't deserve. By all practical means, God could have eradicated the human race thousands of years ago because of our sin, but He didn't. Instead, He has chosen to give us chance after chance to come to Him. The love of God is abounding and this is why He has not destroyed us. God's love is what leads Him to give us grace because it is not by anything that we did. We cannot earn God's grace just as we cannot earn our own salvation. If one was to say we could earn God's grace, it would be implying that we somehow could win God's favor and this is not true. We already have God's favor because of who He is, not because of anything we have done or haven't done. This is in line with our Bible passage of the day. The Apostle Paul tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Similar to as I was saying before, grace and salvation were given to us by God. It is by God's grace that we have been saved and this is through faith. As soon as we place faith in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we are given salvation. Grace overpowers our life and salvation becomes our new reality. As Paul goes on to tell us, this grace and salvation is not from ourselves. Rather, it is the gift of God. God's grace and salvation are both gifts. We do not earn these things by our works in order that no one can boast. If God chose people based on their work, then it would give individuals a chance to boast about “how they earned salvation” or “earned God's favor.” Neither of these things are biblical. Instead, they are rooted in pride. Salvation is a free gift given to us by the Lord Himself. We did not work towards this gift nor did we earn it. In the same way, grace was extended to us by Jesus out of His great love. When we look at these truths, we know we can step out into the day with a grateful heart. We have been given a graceful life and this is all because of the Lord. May we all praise Him today and go to Him in prayer. “Dear Jesus, I praise You for blessing me with a graceful life. Through Your love and grace, I have received salvation. None of this is due to my own work or efforts. Instead, it is done completely by You. Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful gift of salvation and Your grace. Amen.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you currently living a graceful life? If not, how can you change this? We cannot warrant God's favor. Have you tried to do this in the past? If you have, how can you give up this practice? Salvation is given freely by grace through faith. Have you accepted Jesus' free gift of salvation yet? If not, do you think you might want to accept Him as your Savior today? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Welcome to The Living Inside Out podcast. I'm your host, Toks Aruoture. This is episode 97: “Challenges to Opportunities: Steps to Help You Change Your Perspective.” Hello, my friend. I hope you are well. If you're in the UK and have a 16-year-old, congratulations! The exams are over. I, too, have a 16-year-old, and now that exams are done, I told him he'd need to get a job. Initially, I thought providing everything was a sign of love, but I've realised the importance of work ethic and early skill acquisition. If this is your first time listening, thank you. Please rate and review this podcast and share it with your network. If you've been with me for a while, welcome back and thank you for your consistency. A couple of announcements: I have spaces for my PR workshop on 27th June. Also, for our 100th episode, I want to record in front of a live audience. Email pa@toksaruoture.com if you're interested. Recapping last week, we discussed how our perspective on circumstances affects our growth. Today, we'll delve into the benefits of seeing circumstances as neutral. This perspective enables us to see opportunities even in difficult times. Recently, I faced a tough week, but through it, I learned to trust in God's invisible realm beyond our physical world. This trust helps us navigate challenges with the understanding that God is working for our good. To change our perspective during tough times: 1. Embrace dual realities. There can be good amidst challenges. 2. Rest when tired, don't quit. Busyness can drown out divine guidance. 3. Acceptance. Identify the lies in your thoughts and counter them with God's truth. If you need support, email pa@toksaruoture.com. As a certified coach, I help individuals overcome limiting thoughts. Connect with me on social media @toksaruoture. Before we go, let's pray. Dear Jesus, I pray for the listener. Help them navigate this season, fulfil their potential, and take the next step. Amen. Thank you for listening. God bless you. Show Notes: • Spaces available for PR workshop on 27th June. • Interested in attending the 100th episode live recording? Email pa@toksaruoture.com. • Follow me on social media: @toksaruoture. • For coaching support, email pa@toksaruoture.com. • Visit my website for mindset courses and workshops: toksaruoture.com.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. — Galatians 6:9 It can be hard not to grow weary of doing good. Physically tired, emotionally and spiritually drained, we might be ready to give up. The brokenness in our world knows no end. There is always another hungry person to be fed. No sooner is a hospital bed open, and another person fills it. Someone who is healthy today will be sick tomorrow. In a sinful and broken world, there will always be hungry, sick, lonely, imprisoned, or impoverished people. Wars and rumors of wars will always produce refugees. The world's problems will last until Jesus returns. In the meantime, though, we are encouraged, “Do not grow weary of doing good!” And only in God's strength can we continue. We may certainly resign from a committee, leave a specific ministry of mercy, and stop volunteering at a soup kitchen. But we must not grow weary of doing good! If we change ministries, we can still continue to minister in other ways. In the end, as we become people who must be fed, clothed, and visited, our ministry may be reduced to a smile, an encouraging word, or a prayer. And that may be our most effective ministry of all. By God's grace, may we all rejoice to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Dear Jesus, sometimes we grow weary and discouraged. Help us, in the power of your Spirit, to press on. Thank you for giving us eternal life and for welcoming us into your kingdom. Amen.
In this episode, Madeline chats with Stacy Trasancos, research chemist turned adjunct and author. During their conversation, they discuss, how to treat those we disagree with, growing up Baptist in Texas, what led to her atheist phase and back to faith, organic chemistry, solidarity in suffering, conforming to God's will, how meaningful it is to be a mother, gratitude, her additional faith-related masters degrees, being financially responsible, how she came to Catholicism, holiness is for everyone, being a modern woman of faith, how we aren't promised an easy life, persistence through suffering, never giving up on marriage, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include her Substack Engaging Atheism, her book Particles of Faith, episode 27 of this podcast, and Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!
“Father . . . glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. . . . Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” — John 17:1-3 Many years before Jesus came, the Lord God Almighty called Abraham and made promises to him—and Abraham trusted and followed (Genesis 12:1-8). At that time most people believed in many different gods, and all the nations claimed they had gods of their own. The Lord, however, taught Abraham and his descendants that he is the only true God. And he often demonstrated that by overthrowing the false gods of other nations. For example, when God delivered his people Israel from slavery in Egypt, he sent ten plagues that showed his power over Egypt's gods: the Nile god, the harvest god, the sun god, and so on (Exodus 7-12). God showed that he is the creator and sustainer of the whole world. The God of Israel was not attached to one aspect of the world, but moved throughout the whole world and controlled the events of history. Jesus came to reveal the one true God and his salvation for the whole world (John 3:16). And he calls everyone to believe in him as Savior. Jesus is also one with God and with the Holy Spirit (see John 14:8-21; 16:7-15). Even today people worship other gods—wealth, sports teams, Shiva and Vishnu, and more. They will all pass away. None of them could ever direct history or provide salvation. Only the God revealed in Jesus can do that. Worship only him. Dear Jesus, thank you for revealing the true God to us and for being our Savior. Amen.
Have you ever had a piece of designer clothing? Did people look at you differently when you had it on? This episode covers Holy Accessorizing and the importance of wearing our TRUE DESIGNER'S LABEL- A DEAR JESUS patch if you will!
“I am the way and the truth and the life.” — John 14:6 It is sometimes hard to face the truth, especially when the truth is that we have messed up. Instead we make excuses. We think we are exceptional: “I didn't really mean it that way.” “I thought it would be OK if . . .” And so on. But the truth is the truth. And Jesus is the Truth. The worst thing we can do is to ignore or deny this absolute and final Truth—that Jesus is the one and only Son of God who saves sinners. Though the truth about God's nature and presence is clear to all, people tend to suppress it (Romans 1:18-20). We are all guilty of doing this. When we recognize the truth, we don't like what we see. So we think it isn't true for us, or that it doesn't matter. But the truth does matter. Lying to ourselves matters, and it matters most if we lie to ourselves about God. Today we live in a media storm of falsehoods. Many, many voices today lie or bend the truth to suit their own views or preferences. But beyond all the deceptions in this world, the final authority is God in Jesus—the Truth himself. Believe what he says, and believe that he died and rose again so that you may have life everlasting. Dear Jesus, forgive us for our lies. We lie to try to prove we are right. We lie to try to make ourselves look good. Forgive us especially if we lie about who you are and what you have done. Amen.
I lost an hour of sleep last night, but that doesn't begin to compare to the hours of sleep I lost as a teenager contemplating the text I'll be preaching today! Growing up, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 was read as a warning. One day, a trumpet would sound, and in the twinkling of an eye, Christians all over the world would disappear. Those left behind would be plunged into a time of tribulation and difficulty like never before. That thought terrified me! Of course, it terrified me before I became a Christian. I didn't want to be left behind with the rest of the losers! I distinctly remember driving back to town after an early morning hunting trip with my dad and seeing no cars on the road. "It's happened, and I've missed it!" I thought. "It's going to be every man for himself, and I didn't even get a single squirrel this morning! I am SOOO dead!" But it terrified me after I became a Christian, also. The thought of leaving friends and family behind filled me with anxiety about how they would fend for themselves and what they might have to endure. And, of course, as a teenage boy, I was plagued with the fear of what I would miss out on if Jesus came back today! There was so much of life ahead of me—cars, college, and . . . well . . . other stuff. Sociologists told me there was something I was thinking about at least once every six minutes. "Dear Jesus, I want to go to heaven, but please, not until after I've done THAT!" If only I had read the next verse. After all that bizarre stuff in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, verse 18 concludes with, "Therefore encourage one another with these words." Not "terrify one another," not "scare teenage boys out of misbehaving," but "encourage one another!" I would have slept much better if I had only read that last verse! In this message, needing one more hour of sleep, I do my best to bring encouragement as we unpack the hope Paul loads into these few verses.
If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! — 2 Corinthians 5:17 God loves, reasons, and creates. So do his children, made in his image and likeness. But instead of honoring the good, doing the right, and creating the lovely, we fell into sin (Genesis 3). As a result, we despise, pervert, and destroy our world and our relationships. Though we are still able to do some good (by the grace of God), it is painfully obvious that we do not live up to our created potential. We willfully do wrong, hurt others, and destroy. It is hard to imagine the disappointment and heartbreak God must have felt when we first turned against him. God might well have destroyed humanity and started over. And in a way he did make a new start. God sent his Son, Jesus, to bear his image without falling into sin; Jesus was fully human, like us in every way (see John 1:14; 3:16-18; Hebrews 2:17; 4:15). He loves and thinks and creates as a human made in God's image should. He hit the restart button on human nature. The miracle of salvation through Jesus is that we can become part of the new creation and the new world he creates. We can become part of God's family again. With the new life he makes possible for us, Jesus saves! Dear Jesus, thank you for being the first responder for all of creation. You have given us a new start. Help us to live faithfully in your name. Amen.
Our preschool grandson at the time? I think he overheard the weather forecast before his bedtime. It went something like this, "Chance of rain, maybe a few snow flurries." I guess that's all he needed to hear, because he began to pray fervently that night, "Jesus, please make it snow tomorrow." I know he's not the first child to pray that. Now, flurries are barely snow, but apparently the mention of them is enough for fuel for hope, and for faith...especially faith. And when he went to bed that night, his mom and dad...they prayed too. They said, "Dear Jesus, would you please answer a little boy's prayer?" Well, the next morning, this great scene: the little guy is standing in his jammies, in front of the big window in the living room, staring out at a day that was not white. It was just plain old gray. And then suddenly, there they were. The first flurries. Well actually, flakes. He started running around the living room shouting, "Thank You, Jesus! Thank You, Jesus! You made it snow!" And it kept snowing, by the way, appreciably more than the weatherman had forecast. Not only did Jesus answer a little boy's prayer, but a little boy showed us what faith looks like, asking God for what only He can do, then expecting Him to do it. Actually, standing at the window, watching for the answer to come. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Faith That Expects." Now, our word for today from the Word of God is Psalm 5:3. It's a verse we've had up in our prayer chapel. David says, "O Lord, You hear my voice...I lay my requests before You..." But wait, that's not the end of it. Here comes the faith part: "and wait in expectation." You know, I regularly "lay my request before" Him. But how often do I "go to the window," looking out for that answer; expecting Him to answer? You know, you can come to Jesus and you can talk to Him about something, but you can walk away and you're still carrying it. You haven't left it with Him. You haven't trusted it to Him. I've done that way too many times. See, faith works this way. It walks into the Throne Room of Almighty God, who we know now created and controls, like, two trillion galaxies. That's your Heavenly Father. But you walk into that Throne Room and you're all bent over. You're carrying the heavy burden that you've been carrying, but faith walks out standing tall. The burden isn't there any more. You know why? You left it at His Throne. Now, if I'm all bent over when I walk out of the Throne Room; if I'm still carrying that heavy backpack after I've prayed about it, then I talked to Him about it but I didn't trust Him with it. And that's where faith comes in. You know, Jesus made this incredible promise. He said, "If you ask anything in prayer, believe that you have received it..." Now, that's past tense. You haven't got it yet, but "believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Sure, the "snow" doesn't always come, and it doesn't always come on my schedule. But I have got a Father who loves me and Who only says no if He's working on something that's for my good and better than what I have asked for. I remember reading in Tim Keller's book on prayer where he said that "God does answer every prayer but He gives us what we would have prayed for if we knew what God knows." I wonder how many times the answer didn't come because I didn't really believe Him for it? After all, the Bible says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6). I know who I want to be. I want to be the little boy at the window.
Hey, friend! Welcome back to the show. As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, many estranged mothers feel a sense of sadness and loss. You might wonder how you will spend the Holidays this year. To effectively deal with estrangement from your child during the Holidays, you need a plan. In this episode, I'm giving you 4 strategies to deal with family estrangement during this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season. Let's talk about it. . Prayer from this episode: Dear Jesus, thank you for this special day and for the breath in my lungs. Please let my son (or daughter) feel Your presence close to them, and please have me cross their mind in this moment, in a positive way. May they feel loved and may they be blessed. In Jesus name I ask it. Thank you Lord, for your blessings and mercies. Amen. . Join the free Facebook support community for Christian estranged moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianestrangedmothers . Get Your 12 Day Planner To Enjoy A Happier Christmas Season When You're Going Through Family Estrangement: bit.ly/mychristmasguide . Download Your Free Guide Of What To Do When Your Adult Child Estranges: bit.ly/estrangementguide . Schedule a free consultation call to see if Family Estrangement Coaching is right for you. If we work together, here's what you can expect: You'll stop feeling powerless in the estrangement from your child You will know how to manage your mind so that your thoughts make you feel better, instead of worse You'll achieve emotional healing that is KEY to a successful reconciliation We will work together to create a message to your estranged child that greatly increases your odds of reconciliation, using a communication process I've proven repeatedly Schedule your free consultation to find out how Family Estrangement Coaching might help you: https://bit.ly/jennygood . Email me: Jenny@theestrangedmomcoach.com
Join Pat Willie as she brings you two minutes of prayer and reflection. We believe that prayer is essential, life-giving, and life-sustaining. In this 2-minute prayer, finish our series, The Authority and Power of God. Please join us for 2 minutes of prayer to our Lord and Savior. Transcription: Hello. This is Pat Willie, the founder, and CEO of the not-for-profit ministry, The Gathering. When women gather when women worship. Thanks for joining us for this podcast, the two-minute prayer. I believe that prayer is essential. It is life-giving and life-sustaining, and it only takes just a minute to pray. Dear Jesus, we love you and we thank you and we praise you that we have the authority to pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus. And then when we pray in your name, we have the authority to believe that our prayers are heard. And we shall have the things in which we pray for. In Jesus' name. So we cast all our cares upon you. For you careth for us. We cast all of our worries on you, glory. For your word says, do not be anxious for anything. But in everything, through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, to make known our request unto you, Lord. God, we pray for power and authority over every negative influence that is in our lives. In Jesus' name. We pray that we will be free of oppression and depression and everything that has landed on our spiritual landscape. Glory be to God. That we will drive it out under the anointing and the power and the authority of Jesus Christ in the name of our Lord and Savior. Oh, glory Jesus Christ. Every inhabitant in our minds, in our thoughts, in our souls, glory be to God that's not like you. They will not find a place to reside because under the authority, hey God, and the power of God, we drive out every evil thought, every evil thought pattern in Jesus' name. We drive our hate, bigotry, racism, whatever it is, god, we drive it out. In Jesus' name, we decree and declare that we are people of love. We stand on the promises of God and we decree that you are our God. Oh, glory. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Glory. By the power and the authority that we have in your name. We rest in the blessed assurance that we are more than conquerors. That we are overcomers. That we are victors, in Jesus' name. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen. Thanks for listening in today. Please subscribe to this channel by using the links below blessings. Now, this is the two-minute prayer podcast. Have a great day. If you would like to make a donation to this ministry, please use this link. https://www.patwillieministries.org/donate
Can I be brought safely through with Jesus? The answer is YES. He reminds us of His sufficiency: He conquered sin; death; substituted the righteous for the unrighteous; punished disobedient spirits; is over all authority and sits powerfully in heaven patiently waiting for something. What is it?Your APPEAL. Your ask. Your inquiry. Hopefully, it will sound something like this: "Dear Jesus, may I please get on your RESCUE BOAT?" If you ask, HE WILL SAY YES. Then, after the appeal, HE WILL BRING YOU SAFELY THROUGH. Bewithme.us
Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-2; Philippians 2:1-5"Mom! I don't want Sparky to leave!" exclaimed Sarah. "He's part of our family." Sparky was a service dog, and they had been fostering and training him until he was ready to leave and be rehomed. "Please let him stay," Sarah begged. "Why can't we keep him?"Mom gently held her daughter's hand. Sparky's soft brown eyes looked up at them both. He sat down beside them, wagging his tail, sensing they were troubled."I'm sorry, sweetheart, but no, we can't keep him. Sparky is a very special dog with an important job to do. We've been blessed to have him with us, but it's time for him to move on and be a blessing to someone who needs his help. Sarah stormed up to her bedroom. Sparky followed. Hugging him, she sobbed and said, "I'm going to miss you so much. I'll always love you." Then she whispered a prayer. "Dear Jesus, please help me do this." When James, the dog handler in charge, came to collect Sparky the next morning, Sarah's eyes were stinging and red."It's okay to cry," said James. "I know you're heartbroken about losing Sparky. You and your mom have done a wonderful job looking after him. Now, by letting him go, you're helping a blind man who needs him. Sparky will change his life, and you'll be free to foster and train another dog for someone else who needs help."Tears streaming down her face, Sarah waved goodbye to Sparky as he left.Once inside, Mom hugged her. "I'm so proud of you. You've been brave and unselfish. I know how difficult this is for you, but your sacrifice has given a man hope." Mom smiled at her. "That's like what Jesus did for us. He made a much bigger sacrifice when He died on the cross so we could have the hope of eternal life with Him.""I prayed and asked Him to help me do this, and He did," said Sarah. "But it still hurts." She dried her eyes. "Can we pray for Sparky and the blind man?"Mom nodded, and as they prayed, Sarah's heart was at peace. Even though letting go of Sparky was difficult, she knew Jesus would use him to help someone in need.-Cindy LeeHow About You?Have you ever made a sacrifice for someone? Though it can be very hard, letting go of something so someone else can be blessed by it is one way to show people God's love. God loves us so deeply that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross so we could be saved and have eternal life. He can help you let go of something when it's hard so that you can bless others. Today's Key Verse:Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (NIV) (Philippians 2:3)Today's Key Thought:Trust God to help you bless others
Proverbs 18:24 MSG Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. In our culture today, people have never been busier and never so isolated. Couple that dynamic with social media and we quickly find that real friendship, true friends of the heart and soul, have become somewhat of a lost art. For those who follow Christ, the opportunity to develop a core circle to go deep together will always be possible. We all know that friends we choose can become closer than some family. The kind of friend Solomon described in today's verse stays steady and true while others move in and out of our lives. We pick up right where we left off, no matter how long ago the last visit has been. You never have to explain yourself because you are forever understood and accepted. Picture in your mind those one or two friends that are there for you, no matter what. What are your favorite things about them? How do they make you feel when you are down? Thank God for them, the gift of true community. Listen again to Proverbs 18:24: Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. For the next few minutes, focus on the best Friend you will ever have, the One who is there during the victories of the day and the heartaches in the night, the One who created you, redeemed you, and brought you into His family forever—Jesus Christ. Ask God to reveal an even deeper level of intimate friendship with Him. Let's pray, friend: “Dear Jesus, thank You for my heart friends, my soul friends, those You have placed in my life that truly do stick by me closer than family. Thank You for Your friendship and allowing me to be Your friend. As above, so below. Amen”
Bible Reading: Acts 26:26-29"Hey, Sawyer!" Cameron called down the hallway to his friend. Sawyer opened his locker and waited as Cameron hurried to talk to him. "I've been meaning to ask you--do you want to play ball with my church team?""Some other guys asked me to play with them," Sawyer said, pulling books from his locker. "I'm gonna be the pitcher on their team.""But you should play on my team!" said Cameron. "We're friends. The guys from church really want you to play with us too."Sawyer slammed the locker shut. "Yeah, and if I do, they'll want me to come to church with them," he grumbled. "To tell you the truth, that's why I'd rather play with the other guys. I don't want to hear about all that church and Jesus stuff!"As he spoke, a noisy group of boys rushed down the hall toward Cameron and Sawyer. "Hey, Cameron," called the tall boy in the lead. "Sawyer here is going to be on our baseball team. Want to play with us too? We joined a Sunday morning league. How about it?""Thanks," said Cameron, "but I, uh…""He goes to church on Sunday mornings," Sawyer interjected."Cameron goes to church? Now isn't that sweet?" said a boy in a blue shirt, and the others began to laugh as they turned to leave.Cameron swallowed hard. "C'mon, Sawyer. Play with our team. Please? I think you'd enjoy getting to know some of the guys I go to church with."Sawyer shook his head. "This is my big chance to pitch. It might be the only chance I'll ever get.""Come on. Let's go!" called one of the boys. Sawyer pulled his baseball cap on and joined the others heading for the exit, laughing and joking.As Cameron stood in the quiet hallway, Sawyer's words rang in his ears like a loud echo: It might be the only chance I'll ever get. Cameron turned and started home. Dear Jesus, he prayed, I was hoping this would be my big chance to help Sawyer meet more Christians who could help him see what You're like, but it didn't work. Please give me more opportunities to help Sawyer know more about You and how much You love him. Please give him another chance to trust in You. -Susan I. ZampichHow About You?Have you trusted in Jesus? He invites you to do that today. You've been given a chance to know Him as your Savior. Will you take advantage of it? He is patient and often gives people many opportunities to trust in Him, but you don't know what will happen from one day--or one moment--to the next. Don't miss this chance to come to Jesus. Trust Him as your Savior today. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)Today's Key Verse:Now is the right time! See! Now is the day to be saved. (NLV) (2 Corinthians 6:2 )Today's Key Thought:Trust in Jesus now
On our list of holidays that we all celebrate each year, I have a sneaking suspicion there might be at least one of them that was invented by greeting card companies and florists. In America we call it Valentine's Day! Florists freak out and then they count their shekels the next day. And, of course, I even did my part by helping some struggling greeting card company. Yeah, I would do that. I had to of course. I wanted to get one for the woman I love. And I get to celebrate on that day a lifetime love that God had given me in my amazing wife. But occasionally Valentine's Day would give me a flashback of a not-so-happy romantic memory; back in the day when I was 13 and I knew I was in love. Right! Let's call this junior high heartthrob "Cindy." I remember combing the stores on our little town's main street for the perfect gift for Cindy - something to let her know I had feelings for her. Well, I bought the nicest necklace that a few weeks' allowance could afford. It was a heart-shaped necklace. I wrapped it in this mushy note I wrote, put it in an envelope and I left it on her desk in study hall. The next day she passed by my desk and, as my heart beat loud enough to dance to, she silently left an envelope on my desk. There was a brief moment of excited anticipation, followed by one massive letdown. It was the envelope I'd given her with my note and my necklace inside. Uh-huh, I was crushed. She had rejected the love gift I'd spent everything on. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Love That Won't Let You Down." You know, God knows how that feels, because He's spent everything on His love gift for you and me. In our word for today from the Word of God in Romans 8:32, it says, "He did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all." And then in John 3:16 it says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." You know, you can put your name in that verse. That's how deeply personal this love is. For example, for me it goes, "God so loved Ron (or put your name in there) that He gave His one and only Son that if (there's your name) will believe in Him, then (there's your name again) will not perish but have eternal life." God knows the feeling of pouring out His love for us and having us just hand it back to Him. "Thanks, God, but no thanks. I'm not interested or I'm not ready." It's not a necklace we're rejecting. It's what the Bible calls "the gift of God (which) is eternal life" (Romans 6:23). In short, we are rejecting heaven. Because there's no way to get there except to have every wrong thing we've ever done forgiven. And there's no one who could do that but the man who died to pay for our sins. Jesus did the dying for the sinning we've done. Look what He spent on this gift! Now, for too many, Valentine's Day and anniversaries are just reminders of how disappointing human love has been. Even a great love fails to fill that gaping hole in our heart. It's too big for any human to fill. The hole in our heart has Jesus' name on it. Here's what the Bible says, "we were created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). And only He has the unloseable love that will anchor us and finally complete us. It must hurt God a lot to have spent so much and then have us care so little. But He's a stubborn lover. He's back again today. He's offering His love to someone who's listening right now. Won't you respond to His love? Accept the gift He died to give you. Open your heart. Tell Him right where you are today, "Dear Jesus, thank you for the price you paid for me; for my sin. Today I give me to You." Let me encourage you to go to our website if you're wanting to be sure you belong to Jesus. Because that's what that website's all about. That's ANewStory.com. This could be the day that you find the love that you've been looking for your whole life!
It's Tuesday, March 28th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Gunwoman kills 3 kids and 3 adults at Christian school This may be the first instance of an attack on a Christian school in U.S. history. Yesterday morning, a young woman entered Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee armed with two military-type rifles and a handgun, killing three staff members and three children, reports The Christian Post. The K-6 school is operated by Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA). According to police reports, the 28-year-old woman was attempting to change herself into a male, and preferred “he/him” pronouns. Now identified as Audrey Elizabeth Hale, she was a former student at the Christian school. Hale entered the school around 10:13 am, and within 14 minutes, she was fatally shot by a team of five police officers. An FBI study of these rampages found that nine out of 250 involve female perpetrators. In Matthew 15:19-20, Jesus tells us “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries … These are the things which defile a man [or a woman].” 80,000 Israelis protest Netanyahu's judicial restructure Over the weekend, 80,000 citizens hit the streets in Israel, protesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to restructure the nation's judiciary, reports CBS News. A nationwide strike kicked in yesterday. At issue appears to be the anti-Palestinian, anti-LHBTQ, and pro-gun positions taken by some of the conservative government. The controversial legislation has been put on hold until the next legislative term following Passover observance in April. Russia to place nuclear weapons on Ukraine's northern border Over the weekend, Russia announced it will be stationing nuclear weapons in Belarus, located on Ukraine's northern border, reports Reuters. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will place nuclear-armed, hypersonic Iskander missiles north of Kiev. In addition, those Leopard tanks, promised by the German government to aid Ukraine, have been delivered to Kiev, as confirmed by TASS, the Russian news agency. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He will.” Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) supports disfiguring trans surgeries for kids The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is urging Kentucky Democrat Governor Andy Beshear to veto a bill that would protect children from body-mutilating gender surgeries. An official letter from the stated clerk of the denomination affirmed that “The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) strongly affirms the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender people.” Chick-fil-A tops most profitable restaurant list QSR Magazine has released its latest list of most profitable fast food restaurants in the U.S. Once again, Chick-fil-A tops the list with annual average receipts of $6,100,000 per store. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts comes in second place with $4,000,000. In and Out and McDonalds come in at third and fourth place. There are 2,732 Chick-fil-A stores. That compares to 12,775 McDonald's. The largest restaurants in the U.S., by total sales, are McDonalds with $46 billion of annual income, Starbucks with $24 billion, and Chick-fil-A with $16.7 billion of annual income. Chick-fil-A and In and Out comprise two of the top four most profitable restaurant chains in the U.S. — and both have a reputation of holding to Christian values. Chick-fil-A is closed on the Lord's Day for family and worship. And In and Out features Scripture verses on their packaging. Christian weatherman prays on air And finally, you gotta hear this folks. Coming back to that monster tornado that took down Amory, Mississippi last week. A local meteorologist, Matt Laubhan, was warning the town of the imminent approach of the cataclysm. And then, Matt prayed on air that Jesus would help the people of the town. Listen. LAUBHAN: “So Amory, [Tennessee], we need to be in our tornado safe place. We got a new scan coming in here as we speak. Oh man. Like north side of Amory, this is coming in. Oh man. Dear Jesus, please help them. Amen. Okay, so.” Samaritan's Purse has set up two U.S. Disaster Relief units—in Rolling Fork and in Amory. To help with the relief fund, just go to SamaritansPurse.org. Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, March 28th in the year of our Lord 2023. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
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